A classification of the aims of vaccination and its relevance to transgenerational justice

• Published in: Journal of global health Vol. 10; no. 1; p. 010341
• Main Authors: Atzinger, Lea, Henn, Wolfram
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Scotland Edinburgh University Global Health Society 01-06-2020; International Society of Global Health
• Subjects: Developing Countries; Disease Eradication; Disease prevention; Ebola virus; Epidemics; Global health; Herd immunity; Humans; Infections; Infectious diseases; Infrastructure; Logistics; Low income groups; Measles; Measles - prevention & control; Pathogens; Population; Public health; Sanctions; Smallpox; Social Justice; Vaccination - classification; Vaccination Refusal; Vaccine-Preventable Diseases; Vaccines; Viewpoints; Samoa; Germany
• ISSN: 2047-2978; 2047-2986
• DOI: 10.7189/jogh.10.010341

[...]neglect or refusal to be vaccinated for non-medical reasons in countries where safe and efficient measles vaccines are easily available, does not only compromise herd immunity locally, but also fails to protect more vulnerable populations globally. [...]if an individual, or a society as a whole, has the opportunity to protect themselves, others and future generations from contracting a serious, potentially lethal illness, they have not only a pragmatic, but also an ethical duty to do so, thus creating transgenerational justice. [...]we must do our best to protect even distant future fellow human beings from a currently existing disease as soon as we have the tools to do so.